Relationships are important! The process of beginning, building, and growing relationships is an important part of the Applewood church family. These relationships strengthen a community of people centered in Jesus Christ. Relationships are essential to belonging and we want people to know they belong to the body of Christ at Applewood. Applewood focuses on two primary relationships; the vertical relationship with God and the horizontal relationships with others. Applewood’s strategy is to support the development and growth of both!

Our strategy is defined through Community Life Groups. At the core of each life group is the intent to build relationships and each life group has a specific role in achieving that task. There are four types of group for this purpose, each distinct, yet each tied to the central purpose of building community within the church family. Each group defines a part of church life and each group has a role in helping people discover and live in relationship with Christ and other members of the body of Christ. Persons joining Applewood may participate in each type of group or they may focus on a type of group that meets their present need and helps build relationships that enable them to find their connection in growing and serving.

Community Life Groups at Applewood:

Life Alike Groups
	Getting to know other people is sometimes a challenge but is sometimes easier if you share something in common. Life Alike Groups are built on interests that people share. Groups are diverse but have two things in common, meet new people and build new relationships! These groups hare made up of people who already belong to Applewood, people new to Applewood and people who just share the interest and the opportunity to participate. New Life Alike groups start continuously.
Life Anew Groups
	Becoming a Christian is a joyous time but can also be a little overwhelming if you don’t have a church background. Life Anew Groups are designed for new believers. These groups help new believers build the vertical relationship with God through learning basics about the Bible, prayer, worship, baptism, and the church to name a few of the topics. As each group meets, believers also build relationships with other new believers. Life Anew groups help the new believer get on track in belonging to the Kingdom of God and the church. These groups are scheduled periodically. Find out when the next Life Anew Group will start.
Life Application Groups
	Small group Bible study is essential for believers! Life Application Groups are the strategy for involving people in Bible study but these groups do even more. There are four tasks that Life Application Groups strive to do:   Reach!  These groups look for new people to join and build relationships. Teach!  These groups teach the Bible to discover God’s transforming truth. Connect!  These groups work to connect people into worship and ministry. Multiply!  These groups work to start new groups of people who continue the strategy.   Life Application Groups target age groups of adults and students. Bible teaching groups are provided for children and preschoolers so the entire family can be involved in Bible study. Life Application Groups are the basic group every person should be involved in on a weekly basis. Details about current Life Application Groups are available here.
Life Advance Groups
	Making disciples is part of the Great Commission and is an integral part of growing and serving. These small groups are designed to help believers grow in the practice of their Christian walk, study doctrines for better understanding Biblical truth, and equip and train for service and ministry in various areas of the church. Relationship with God grows in Life Advance Groups and relationships with other believers grow as preparation for serving is learned together. Midweek@applewood on Wednesday nights during the spring and fall is one time frame in which Life Advance Groups are offered.
Please email us if you would like more specific information about Life Alike, Life Anew and Life Advance Groups.